The Lenovo Yoga Tab 3 10 and Asus Zenpad 10 Z300M represent a shrinking segment: affordable 10-inch Android tablets. Both devices aim to deliver a functional tablet experience without breaking the bank, but they take different approaches to achieving this. This comparison dissects their core components to determine which offers the best value for users prioritizing portability and basic functionality.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user seeking a basic tablet for media consumption and light tasks, the Asus Zenpad 10 Z300M is the better choice. Its Mediatek MT8163 chipset, featuring Cortex-A53 cores, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Lenovo Yoga Tab 3 10’s Snapdragon 210 and Cortex-A7 cores, resulting in a smoother user experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | N/A |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - EMEA | - |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 19, 20, 38, 40 - EMEA | - |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | No |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | - |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2016. Released 2016 | 2016, May. Released 2016, May |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 253 x 185 x 9.5 mm (9.96 x 7.28 x 0.37 in) | 251.6 x 172 x 7.9 mm (9.91 x 6.77 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | No |
| Weight | 655 g (Wi-Fi)/ 665 g (3G/LTE) (1.40 lb) | 490 g (1.08 lb) |
| | Built-in 3-stage kickstand
Splash and dust resistant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Oleophobic coating |
| Resolution | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~149 ppi density) | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~149 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~63.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~68.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 | Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8909 Snapdragon 210 (28 nm) - 3G/LTE modelQualcomm APQ8009 (28 nm) - Wi-Fi model | Mediatek MT8163 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 304 | Mali-T720MP2 |
| OS | Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) | Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 720p@30fps | Yes |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | Rotating main camera module | 2 MP |
| Video | 720p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 4.0, aptX |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Talk time | - | Up to 11 h (multimedia) |
| Type | Li-Ion 8400 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4890 mAh, non-removable (18 Wh) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Dark Gray, Pearl White, Rose Gold |
| Models | YT3-X50M, YT3-X50F | - |
| Price | About 180 EUR | - |
Lenovo Yoga Tab 3 10
- Potentially lower price point.
- Snapdragon 210 may offer slightly better passive battery life.
- Lenovo's brand recognition in the tablet space.
- Significantly weaker CPU performance due to Cortex-A7 architecture.
- Likely slower app loading and multitasking.
- Older chipset may receive fewer software updates.
Asus Zenpad 10 Z300M
- More powerful Mediatek MT8163 chipset with Cortex-A53 cores.
- Smoother user experience for web browsing and light gaming.
- More modern CPU architecture for better app compatibility.
- Potentially slightly shorter battery life during active use.
- May be slightly more expensive than the Yoga Tab 3 10.
- Asus's tablet software support can be inconsistent.
Display Comparison
Neither tablet boasts a particularly impressive display. Both are likely to feature IPS LCD panels, common in this price bracket. However, detailed specifications like resolution and brightness are missing. Given the market segment, we can assume both offer 1080p resolution. The key difference will likely be color accuracy and viewing angles, where IPS technology generally performs adequately. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices, reflecting their age and budget nature.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance on both tablets will be underwhelming. Details are scarce, but it’s safe to assume both feature basic sensors suitable for casual snapshots. Focusing on megapixel counts would be misleading; image quality will be heavily influenced by software processing and sensor size, neither of which are specified. Users should not expect high-quality photos or videos from either device.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Asus Zenpad 10 Z300M’s Mediatek MT8163, with its quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU, represents a significant architectural leap over the Lenovo Yoga Tab 3 10’s Qualcomm MSM8909 Snapdragon 210 (or APQ8009 for Wi-Fi models) and its 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 cores. Cortex-A53 cores are demonstrably more efficient and offer higher single-core performance than the older Cortex-A7 architecture. This translates to snappier app launches, smoother scrolling, and a more responsive overall experience on the Zenpad. While both are 28nm chips, the architectural improvements of the MT8163 are crucial.
Battery Life
Battery capacity details are missing for both devices. However, given their similar size and target market, we can estimate capacities around 7000-8000 mAh. The Snapdragon 210 is generally more power-efficient than the MT8163, potentially giving the Yoga Tab 3 10 a slight edge in battery life during passive tasks like video playback. However, the Zenpad’s more efficient CPU will likely offset this during active use, and the difference will likely be minimal in real-world scenarios. Charging speeds are also unknown, but likely to be slow with standard 5W charging.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lenovo Yoga Tab 3 10 if you prioritize a potentially lower price point and are primarily focused on static content consumption like reading ebooks or watching pre-downloaded videos. Buy the Asus Zenpad 10 Z300M if you prefer a more responsive tablet experience for web browsing, light gaming, and multitasking, even if it means spending slightly more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Asus Zenpad 10 Z300M struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Zenpad 10 Z300M is better performing than the Yoga Tab 3 10, it's not a gaming powerhouse. PUBG Mobile will likely be playable at low to medium settings with reduced frame rates. Expect some stuttering and lag, especially during intense action sequences. It's suitable for casual gaming, but not for demanding titles.
❓ Is the difference in CPU architecture (Cortex-A7 vs Cortex-A53) really that noticeable in everyday use?
Yes, the difference is significant. The Cortex-A53 cores in the Zenpad 10 Z300M offer a substantial improvement in single-core performance and efficiency compared to the Cortex-A7 cores in the Yoga Tab 3 10. This translates to faster app launches, smoother web browsing, and a more responsive user interface. You'll notice the difference when multitasking or switching between apps.
❓ Which tablet is better for reading ebooks and magazines?
Both tablets are adequate for reading, but the Zenpad 10 Z300M's smoother performance might make page turns and navigation slightly more fluid. However, the difference is minimal, and the choice comes down to price and personal preference. Consider screen glare and viewing angles if reading outdoors.
